Making the Most of Online Collaboration

摘要

In her perspective ("technology and informal education: What is taught, what is learned," 2 January, p. 69), P. M. Greenfield emphasizes that scientific thinking should go beyond mere visual literacy to include "reflection, analysis, critical thinking, mindfulness, and imagination." Informal learning on the Internet can encompass facetsrnother than visual media. As avid readers and writers of science at the online international undergraduate The Journal of Young Investigators (JYI) (7), we believe that informal education through Internet-based media promotes active and critical scientific thought.rnDespite the prevalence of visual media, text remains the primary form of communication and collaboration on the Internet. Online science media suchrnas JYI provide opportunities for students to critically read and write about literature by constructing logical scientific arguments. Practicing scientists often note that 50% of the scientific process involves strong written communication in the form of grant writing and journal articles. Grant proposals in particular require students torncommunicate their ideas compellingly to generalists and situate the work in a broader context.